A wide range of colors and an alluring floral fragrance make freesia hard to resist. With up to eight trumpet-shaped, upward-pointing blossoms on leafless stems, freesias make delightful cut flowers that last a long time in the vase.

Freesia flowers are “zygomorphic” which just means that they grow along one side of the stem, in a single plane. When you look at a flower stalk however, you ll see that the blooms are facing upwards.

They look their best when grown together in clumps or masses. These beautiful, deliciously fragrant freesia flowers add color and fragrance to your tropical garden with such ease you ll be gald you decided to grow them.

Freesia is a genus that consists of about 14 species. All of the 14 species of Freesia are African in origin from the family Iridaceae which are native to Africa, but are now seen growing all over in Tropical and Sub-Tropical climates.Color: blue, orange, red, violet, white and yellowBloom time: Spring Bloom, Summer BloomHeight: HEIGHT: 1 to 3 feet WIDTH:To 6 inches wideDifficulty level: Easy

Planting & Care These South African beauties scent the air in late spring to early summer with citrus-blossom perfume. Double-flowered hybrids provide an even showier display. The tubular flowers open on small branches called racemes. The stems twist below the flower buds so the blooms face upward to entice pollinators.

Plant freesia corms in early spring; they require cool nights to set their blooms. By allowing the narrow, bladelike leaves to dry up naturally at the end of the season, you ll have a plumper corm to store for next year s flowers. Potted freesia plants displayed on a patio or sunny porch will share their fragrance up close for your enjoyment.

Sunlight: Part Sun, Sun

Soil: Freesia refracta require planting sites that drain well. These plants do not thrive in soggy soil. Amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the soil level 5-8cm (2-3inch) for improved drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available.

Water: Water well through the growing season but cut back during flowering time. Stop watering altogether once the foliage dies down and dries up. Do not over water because it will cause the corms to rot.

Temprature: Keep Freesia refracta plants in cool room with temperatures ranging between 16-18°C (60-65°F) and moderate humidity while they are growing and flowering. Blooms will last for weeks if kept at a maximum of 18°C (65°F). Freesia refracta plants need a mild winter temperature of around 10°C (50°F).

Fertilizer: A liquid fertiliser can be applied as soon as the first growth appears above ground.

Care:

Freesia plants are easy to grow.

In the fall, acquire good, healthy bulbs from a quality, reliable source.

You can also plant them in early spring.

Plant Freesia bulbs about two inches deep, and three inches apart.

Do not plant them closer, as they will fill in over a couple years.

you can plant freesia corms in fall.

In cooler areas, however, plant the corms in spring.

Also, in USDA zones cooler than 9, the corms won’t survive the winter in the garden.

You will need to dig them up at the end of the season and store them until next spring, but since the corms are inexpensive, it’s usually easier to purchase a new freesia bulb plant next year.

Another option is to plant them in containers so you can bring the entire pot indoors for winter storage.

Freesia plants like rich, well draining soil.

It is most important that the soil is not wet or soggy for extended periods of time.

Water plants only if the soil is dry a few inches below the surface.

Add a layer of mulch, to keep the weeds down, and your Freesia will grow almost maintenance free.

Add a general purpose fertilizer after the flowers have died.

After the plants are done flowering, allow them to continue to grow until they die back naturally for the season.

Then, you can cut the dead plants off at ground level.

Freesia Plant Propagation: Freesia plants are grown from bulbs.

Over the course of a few years, they will multiply rapidly, forming dense clumps, or masses.

The plants can get overcrowded .

It is best to dig up the bulbs, and separate them every 2-3 years.

Freesia can also be grown from seeds.

This is done primarily by horticulturalists.

It takes longer to produce flowering plants.

Tip: Freesia are attractive in pots and containers.

If you are growing Freesia in pots or containers, plant bulbs close together, so the arrangement looks full.